The Razor's Edge: A Postapocalytic Novel (The New World Book 6)

by G. Michael Hopf

  Tears welled up in her eyes. “I forgave you a long time ago. I know you love me and only want what is best for me. But I have something to say too.”

  “You’ve got nothing to be sorry for,” Samuel said.

  “I do, I do, I brought Hector…Pablo whatever his damn name is. I brought him close and he, he almost killed us. The moment we discovered who he really was, we should have demanded he leave,” Annaliese said, her voice cracking as she spoke.

  “We talked about that, and we all decided it was for the best to let him stay. We feared he could turn on us,” Samuel replied, reminding her of the debate that raged at that time.

  “But I could have sent him away anytime. I was blinded by this belief that someone so horrible, so heinous could be converted.”

  “God tells us they can, but apparently he wasn’t one that could,” Samuel said.

  “I’m confused now.”

  “I can understand that. We’re told that only God judges and that’s true. When we go before him, he is the ultimate arbitrator, but here on Earth we have to realize that we need to use God’s given instincts to ferret out those who wish to harm us.”

  “I just don’t want to send good people away because they’ve done something bad, you know, like make a mistake.”

  “That wasn’t Hector. He was an evil man; he was twisted by hate. There was no reform for him.”

  “Then how do we move forward?”

  “First, by looking at the positives and celebrating our successes. We survived this. His army is leaving,” Samuel said, emphasizing that what was left of the army had packed up and was departing at first light. Their destination was Venezuela, whether they’d make it would be seen, but Luis was going to try.

  “That is a good thing.”

  “Second, we need to understand that others like him might come. It is righteous for us to fight and defend ourselves, but God gave us a precious lesson, my dear niece, and we must heed it,” Samuel said.

  “And what’s that?”

  “I started this ranch as a refuge for my family; you have turned it into a refuge for God’s people, a safe place to come. We can grow this, but we can never again let evil enter disguised as a lost or wounded soul. How we do that exactly isn’t easy, but one evil person can destroy all the good we’ve done. We must not be afraid or be misguided to think we can’t use righteous violence to purge those who wish to destroy us and the good work we do.”

  “That sounds like it’s the opposite of some of our teachings.”

  “Not exactly, in Psalm 82:4 it says, ‘Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.’ That’s what we’re doing here.”

  “But what about those who live by the sword will die by the sword?”

  “We’re not living by it. Just because we possess it, it doesn’t equal wielding it. It is but a tool. The possessor determines its intent.”

  Annaliese lowered her head and with her free hand wiped the tears from her face. “I’m so fortunate to have you.”

  “And I you.”

  “We’re going to survive this, aren’t we?” she asked with a hopeful tone.

  “We are, but our strength lies in family. I love you and your mother, and I love this extended family we created. Together we can make this place better.”

  She leaned in and gave him a firm hug.

  “Ouch,” he groaned.

  “Sorry.”

  “Can you grab me some food from the house? I don’t think I can eat another meal of this stuff,” Samuel asked.

  “Sure,” she said and stood up. She marched out of the hospital, and on her way to the house a bright green flash streaked across the sky. “Whoa,” she said. She stopped, closed her eyes and made a wish. When she opened them, she looked up and said, “Thank you for everything you’ve given me, God. Thank you for the family both here and with you, and thank you for Sebastian. I know he’s with you and I’m jealous of that. Tell him I love him and that life isn’t the same without him. And God, tell him to behave; I know how he likes to be mischievous.” She smiled broadly and without further hesitation headed for the house.

  JANUARY 31, 2016

  “Being a mother is an attitude, not a biological relation.” – Robert Heinlein

  South of Joseph, Oregon, Republic of Cascadia

  When Lexi woke, she didn’t know if the singing was in her dreams or real until she heard the sweet melody coming from the other room.

  She hadn’t heard Katie sing before, and discovering she could hold a tune was a nice surprise.

  Katie had been a Godsend. Like only a few before, Lexi came seeking help and a stranger stepped up and delivered.

  The morning after the assault on the slavers’ property, Lexi wandered south. She was wounded, beaten and lost. Suffering and disoriented, Lexi saw Katie’s house and knew someone was living there by the clothes drying on the line. She made it as far as the driveway before passing out.

  The next day, Lexi woke to find she was in a bed and in a house she’d never been in before. At first she panicked; then she looked out the window and saw clothes whipping in the wind. Recalling that she had sought help and was being cared for, she let the panic melt away.

  Katie proved to be gentle, sweet and caring. She mended and cared for Lexi’s wounds without demanding repayment.

  The days passed and Lexi got to know Katie a bit more. She found out that Katie was married but hadn’t seen her husband since before the lights went out. He traveled for work and had left the day before the attacks; she never imagined that he’d never return.

  Each night, Katie would light a single candle and leave it in the window. It served two purposes, to let her husband know she was there if he suddenly showed up in the driveway, and as a spiritual guide showing him the way back to her.

  At first Lexi thought her nightly ritual was silly but soon found it endearing.

  The days became weeks and soon Lexi knew she’d have to move on.

  Katie offered to let her stay, but Lexi wasn’t the settling-down type and told Katie she’d be leaving soon.

  “You’re amazing,” Lexi gushed as she stepped into the kitchen.

  “Oh, gosh, no, I just like to sing this or that; makes me happy,” Katie replied as she folded a shirt.

  “No, seriously you have a wonderful voice.”

  “You’re so nice.”

  Lexi walked to the door and looked out. She missed Beau, and every day she hoped she’d see him in the front yard, rolling around in the tall grass. That night was hard on her. She'd lost Nicholas and Beau, but not knowing what happened to Beau was what upset her most, if that made sense. She got her head around Nicholas, it was final, she had closure, but Beau was just gone. She saw him go inside the barn but never come back. She assumed he was dead, but without actually seeing his body she couldn’t be so sure. Plus, there was something telling her that he was still out there terrorizing squirrels and other varmints.

  “I made some eggs. I heard you rustling, so I figured you’d be out soon. I just finished cooking them only a few minutes ago,” Katie said, pointing to a covered plate on the table.

  Another bonus of being with Katie was she could really cook. Lexi uncovered the plate to discover two eggs sunny-side up. A big smile stretched across her face and a fond memory of John from The Mohawk popped into her mind. She grabbed a fork and jabbed the yolks.

  “You mentioned you were going to leave soon. Um, what can I say for you to stay?” Katie asked sheepishly.

  “I just need to move on; it’s nothing personal.”

  “It’s been real nice having you here,” Katie said.

  “How old are you?” Lexi asked, the question out of left field.

  “Thirty-seven.”

  “You’re a young old thirty-seven. I know that doesn’t make any sense, but you’re youthful in appearance and mannerisms, but then I see you around the house and you’re an old soul.”

  “Maybe I’m just schizophrenic,” she joked.

 
“Say, where did your husband go for business?”

  “Riverside, California.”

  “Hmm, interesting,” Lexi said.

  “Why?”

  “Oh, I’m thinking of heading south, going back into California, but then I think maybe I’ll head towards Montana, less people up there.”

  “Or you can stay here,” Katie said.

  “I’ll come back and visit,” Lexi said with sincerity.

  “Well, you’ve always got a place to stay,” Katie said.

  Lexi felt her stomach turn then tighten. Saliva began to build in her mouth. A strong sense of nausea washed over her. She got up from the table and rushed to the sink just in time to throw up.

  Katie came to her side quickly and held her hair back.

  Lexi heaved twice more. She wiped her mouth and stood over the sink. She didn’t want to step away until the nauseous feeling went away.

  “You’re not feeling well. You should go lie down,” Katie urged.

  “That was weird, hmm, just came suddenly.”

  Katie felt her head and said, “No fever. Ah, did you feel sick when you woke?”

  “No.”

  “It just hit you suddenly?”

  “Yeah, that was strange.”

  Katie stepped back and smiled.

  Lexi saw her grin and asked, “What? What are you smiling at?”

  “When was the last time you had your period?”

  “No. I know what you’re saying, I’m not pregnant.”

  “When was your last period?” Katie again asked.

  Lexi had to really think, and as she counted the weeks, they added up to more than they should. “No way.”

  “Now the question is, have you had sex in the past four to six weeks?”

  “I don’t believe it, no way,” Lexi said as she walked away from the sink.

  “That guy Nicholas, you and him?”

  “No way.”

  “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  Lexi found the chair and sat back down. The smell of the eggs brought her nausea back. She pushed the plate away.

  “I’ll be right back,” Katie said and hurried off. She returned a couple minutes later. “Here,” she said after she placed a box of pregnancy tests in front of Lexi.

  Lexi stared at the box and again said, “No way.”

  “Go, take the test,” Katie urged.

  “But isn’t it best to take with your first pee?”

  “It will still work. If you think you got a false negative, we’ll try again in the morning. I’ve got a few of these,” she said, referencing the tests.

  The thought of a baby was off-putting, the crying, the diapers, the breastfeeding and everything. This couldn’t be happening.

  “Go, now, go find out,” Katie said happily.

  “I’m so glad my problem is your joy.”

  “It’s not like that; babies are blessings.”

  “No, they’re not, they’re pains in the asses. I don’t have time for a baby,” Lexi complained.

  “They’re gifts, pure and simple.”

  “What do you know?” Lexi asked.

  Katie looked down and said, “Me and Josh got pregnant three times. I lost them all, miscarriage.”

  Hearing her loss, Lexi shifted in her chair and changed her attitude. “I’m sorry, you never mentioned it before.”

  “Wasn’t meant to be, I guess. Sometimes I told myself I was to blame because I cursed the first pregnancy with buying all the baby stuff before having it. Some say that’s bad luck.”

  “That’s bullshit. Don’t beat yourself up,” Lexi said.

  “Go test, hurry,” Katie said and clapped.

  What would she do? she thought. Getting an abortion was out of the question, but having a kid in this world was pure insanity.

  “Hurry, go,” Katie pushed. She put a box in her hands and pushed her to leave.

  “Okay, I’ll go, but I’m not pregnant. This is nonsense,” she said and went to the bathroom.

  “Good luck,” Katie said happily.

  In the bathroom, Lexi pulled the test from the package and stared at it. She said a little prayer before taking the test. When she was done, she looked at the test window and gasped. “No way.”

  When Lexi walked back in the kitchen, she found Katie standing with her hands folded in prayer. “So?”

  Lexi stood staring ahead. Thoughts about her future raced through her mind.

  “Tell me, hurry.”

  “I don’t believe it. I’m pregnant.”

  ***

  After listening to what felt like a solid two hours of Katie dancing and singing in celebration, Lexi found time alone to process this new development.

  Her pragmatic and practical mind said to find a way to end the pregnancy, but she quickly talked herself out of it when the risk of a complication would arise. Emotionally and sentimentally, Lexi wanted to keep the baby. Although she didn’t love Nicholas, she could honestly say she cared for him.

  What should I do? she asked herself.

  Soon, each thought came back to Nicholas. He was dead, for sure, confirmed, but a part of him was alive. Thoughts then came of her daddy and sister, Carey. Their blood ran through her so therefore ran through the baby. This child was them too, and she couldn’t just abandon it.

  With her mind made up, Lexi found Katie and had her sit down.

  “Please, please tell me you’re keeping it.”

  “I am,” Lexi confirmed.

  “Yay, congratulations,” Katie said, springing to her feet. She embraced her and gave her a big kiss on the cheek.

  “So considering I’m pregnant, I won’t be leaving right away. If I can stay, I’d like to do so and give birth here.”

  “Oh my heaven, of course,” Katie said.

  Lexi couldn’t believe it. For sure it would take days for the shock to wear off.

  She rested fully into the seat and sighed. “I’m having a baby. Unbelievable.”

  “Come, come, let me show you all the baby stuff. It’s yours now.”

  Lexi followed Katie to the back room where all the toys and baby items were.

  “Any names picked out?”

  “Isn’t it a bit early?”

  “Nope, not at all.”

  Lexi thought as she walked to the small window in the room that overlooked the backyard. A frown appeared on her face and sadness enveloped her as she looked at the makeshift gravestone for Nicholas. She had made it a priority to bury him. "That's such a beautiful tree," she said.

  "It is, my grandfather planted it."

  Katie had the advantage of being in a house where generations of family had lived.

  Lexi appreciated the history that provided. She rubbed her lower abdomen and thought about names. She wanted them to be special, to be a bridge to others.

  "If it's a boy, this will be cute," Katie said holding up a onesie imprinted with trains.

  "If it’s a boy, Nicholas and if it's a girl, I'll name her Carey.”

  ***

  Lexi was on a new glide path, one never imagined. Like any other day she didn’t know what lie ahead but now that she'd chosen to have the child she had to be a mother with the same passion and excellence she showed in her job as a mercenary. Her purpose now was to raise the child and provide the child a safe and secure environment. Being a mother didn’t mean she’d have to surrender her tools or leave her life of Nemesis behind. She’d trained herself and became good at taking life, now she would use that same discipline to be good at giving it.

  FEBRUARY 4, 2016

  “Greatness is a road leading towards the unknown.” – Charles de Gaulle

  McCall, Idaho, Republic of Cascadia

  Samantha woke to find Gordon wasn’t in bed. She assumed he was in the bathroom, but after ten minutes she got up to see where he was.

  When she stepped into the darkened hallway, she found him at Haley’s door.

  “What are you doing?” she whispered.

  “Just wanted to check on the
kids,” he answered.

  “I do that too sometimes,” she said.

  “Look at her, sleeping so peacefully. She’s such a sweetheart.”

  “Did you check on Luke?”

  “Yeah, he’s snoring away,” Gordon replied.

  “I love you,” Samantha said, rubbing his back.

  “Hey, I’m sorry you got caught up in all the Jacques stuff,” Gordon said.

  “For better or for worse, I think that’s what I signed up for.”

  “That’s true.”

  “You’re not sleeping anymore,” Samantha said.

  “The reports from up north have me concerned. Jacques has a large army and we have a small one,” Gordon replied.

  “But it looks as if the Canadian government is coming to help as well. With them striking from the east and Cruz committed to supporting us if he invades, we should be fine,” Samantha said.

  “So many things can go wrong. If he gets this far south, I just pray our defenses will hold,” Gordon sighed. The past month had been spent repositioning what was left of his army around McCall. The council had called for the force to split so that it might go to Olympia, but Gordon knew if Jacques was going to come across, he would come straight for him in McCall.

  Cruz and Gordon were speaking regularly. One of the conditions Cruz agreed to was withdrawing the Marine brigade from Olympia. The order went through, and those Marines began a slow march towards Cheyenne.

  “I know you hate me saying this, but we can only do what we can do. You’ve been working tirelessly to be prepared.”

  “But I hate just waiting. What is Jacques up to? He’s conniving and the reason he hasn’t crossed the border yet is because he’s plotting something,” Gordon said.